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Title: Time-resolved 3D characterisation of early-age microstructural development of Portland cement

Journal Article · · Journal of Materials Science

Abstract Time-resolved in-situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography reveals new levels of detail about the chemical and physical processes that take place as Portland cement hardens. The conversion of a fluid paste into a hardened product can be monitored on a sub-minute time-scale, and with sample movement/settlement corrections applied to enable individual particles to be tracked as they react, hydrate, and become interconnected into a single strong monolith. The growth of the strength-giving hydrate phases surrounding cement grains, and of the fluid-filled pore network that surrounds them, is able to be directly viewed at the level of individual cement particles through the application of this tracking protocol. When cement is brought into contact with water, a layer which differs in density from the bulk of the cement grains becomes observable on the grain surfaces during the induction period (during which time the heat evolution from the paste is relatively low). As hydration continues, reaction products grow both from particle surfaces into the initially fluid-filled region, and also into the space originally occupied by the cement particles, forming a density gradient within the microstructure. As the reaction accelerates and larger volumes of solid phases precipitate, the newly-formed solid structure percolates via interconnection of agglomerated low-density outer hydrates, which then densify as hydration continues. This eventually leads to solidification of the structure into a hardened porous matrix. Graphical abstract

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities Division; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1844438
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1880257
Journal Information:
Journal of Materials Science, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Science Vol. 57 Journal Issue: 8; ISSN 0022-2461
Publisher:
Springer Science + Business MediaCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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